MyBoxingFans.com caught up with the three-time world champion Erik “Terrible” Morales (50-6, 35KOs) who was originally slated to face former super featherweight champion Jorge “Hiena” Barrios this Saturday night in his hometown of Tijuana. Morales must now face late sub Francisco Lorenzo (35-8, 16 KOs) of Irvington, New Jersey, by way of the Dominican Republic.
The Argentinean Barrios had to withdraw from the much-anticipated match up of former champions when the judge who is presiding his case in his native country for vehicular homicide ruled to not grant him permission to leave the country.
Watch this exclusive video interview with “El Terrible” as he talks about his new opponent and see what he has to say about his next target, Juan Manuel Marquez.
As a bonus we added some behind the scenes footage as Morales trains for Lorenzo. Enjoy this Video:
You mentioned that you were sad because of the change of opponents but are you anxious for the change of styles now with Francisco Lorenzo?
With out a doubt it is going to be a different theme. As a fighter we are prepared for anything that might come up even emergencies. I think his style is going to be a complicated one, it is going to be difficult but we are confident in our work, in our preparation. Logically he is a tough opponent, a difficult one. We must surpass him. We need to move forward because if not, our goal will not be met. Our goal is a world title.
This is the first time that you fight in your native city of Tijuana in more than ten years, what does this mean to you?
That is very important, we have the opportunity to come back home. It has been more than ten long years were we have amassed a beautiful career. Big triumphs with sad defeats but now we are here with the people that saw me be born, saw me grow, with the people that saw me fight for my place in boxing. We are very happy to be here and that is what is most important.
The last time that you fought in Tijuana was against Rodney Jones that ended in a first round knockout, how much would you like it for this one to end the same way?
This fighter, nobody has knocked him out and he has faced some great fighters. It will be enough for me to look good, to come out on top and for the fans to to see and believe that I have worked, forced myself in the gym and they see a desire from me for that fourth title, that will be enough.
This will be the third fight you do this year in your comeback, how do you feel in this camp compared to the other two?
I feel great, faster, physically stronger. I don’t doubt that I must continue to work but we are progressing very well, putting in a lot of effort. It has been a year of a lot of focus, a lot of work and a lot of dedication so that we can return to the ring and go after a world title.
You have mentioned numerous times that you are going for your fourth title and you would want it at 135 lbs. Do you think that is something that can happen in 2011?
Without a doubt, 2011 will be a decisive year. I am looking to capture the title in this incoming year.
You’ve mentioned that would like to face Juan Manuel Marquez for that fourth title. As of now, Marquez is not the lightweight champion of the WBC, the organization that saw you grow and you won all our titles with, does that make a big difference?
Realistically I would want it to be with the WBC but right now what is important is to win the world title in the lightweight division and we are going to look for it. We are going to come up with the formula for it to happen and with the level that I have always been at.
You were names WBC Emeritus champion and you can ask for a straight shot at the title and challenge Humberto Soto, is that something that you would take advantage of if the fight against Juan Manuel Marquez does not come about?
If not, then we are going to look for the right conditions to fight against any of the world champions that are available and are willing to climb into the ring with me. I think whether it is Marquez, Soto, anybody, one of them will go climb into the ring.
Last question, what can we expect of Erik “Terrible” Morales this Saturday night?
My whole team has done a great job, a huge effort and we have a lot of love for Tijuana so then we are going to give a great fight.
The JMM fight would have been interesting back when both were prime fighters. Really don’t know who would have won back then but today JMM is in a whole other class then Morales.
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